18:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Monday 19 August 2019

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

Rachel Jones Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:13 | Winning time: 4m 8.10s

Admiral's Sunset^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: David Bass| T: D Weston| OR: 107

11/2

Won Hereford 2m handicap hurdle in November. May have needed the run on first start back form summer break when weakened on chasing bow at Stratford last month. Second but ultimately well held at Newton Abbot three weeks ago.

Form: 352-452

Sue Be It^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J E Moore| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 104

12/1

Won two handicap hurdles in spring 2018 then absent over a year prior to two runs back over timber recently, shaping with promise. Makes chasing bow here for yard who are 0-27 overall at this venue.

Form: 53/11-52

Dexcite^h³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: N Kent| OR: 104| CD

12/1

Won two hurdles back in 2016. Poor chasing debut at Worcester last month but did much better two weeks later when fourth at Southwell recently off 1lb higher mark. Not without a chance if building on that.

Form: 5FP-844

Bagan⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R Gretton| OR: 103

7/1

Trainer 1-8 here over fences. Remains a maiden after eight tries in bumpers and hurdles, looking very one paced on a number of occasions. Chasing debut here and hopes rest on him taking well to these larger obstacles.

Form: 43493-4

Red Inca²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: A Phillips| OR: 99

5/2

Hasn't won under Rules since Haydock handicap hurdle in March 2013. Fared pretty well though in two novice handicap chases of late finishing second on both occasions. Raised 2lb and despite advanced age is not out of it.

Form: 31-2522

Royal Road^h1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: J L Flint| OR: 94

8/1

Some promise in four starts over hurdles although latest fourth in Southwell seller didn't set the world alight. Makes chasing debut here with first-time hood applied. Yard had recent winner on the Flat following quiet spell.

Form: F7-5334

Lord De La Mine¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 95

6/1

Shown very little in six starts so far, the first three being in France. Returned from wind surgery prior to poor run on Stratford chasing bow recently and it would take a big leap of faith to support him based on that effort.

Form: P740-76

Pinot Noir^p1,t1³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 79

33/1

Beaten out of sight all three starts so far over timber and fences will have to prompt an amazing transformation if he is to land the spoils here. Wears first time tongue-tie and cheekpieces.

Form: P977

Dragon Khan^t²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 77

5/1

Just 2-55 all told, only hurdles win coming at Thurles in heavy ground in January 2016. Not disgraced at modest level in three starts over fences so far and was close third at Southwell last time. Runs from 1lb out of the handicap.

Form: 945-543

Hes Our Robin^h⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 76

20/1

38-race maiden who had two attempts over fences in 2016 and ran with some promise, finishing second at Downpatrick. Clearly very hard to win with and unlikely to break the sequence from 2lb wrong at the weights.

Form: 364-P4S

Forecasts

Red Inca (5/2), Dragon Khan (5/1), Admiral's Sunset (11/2), Lord De La Mine (6/1), Bagan (7/1), Royal Road (8/1), Dexcite (12/1), Sue Be It (12/1), Hes Our Robin (20/1), Pinot Noir (33/1)

All ten runners have questions to answer and top weight ADMIRAL'S SUNSET is a very tentative selection having run a fair race last time at Newton Abbot. Veteran Red Inca is not out of it after running surprisingly well over fences recently, and Dexcite improved on his first attempt over fences when fourth at Southwell last time. Sue Be It wouldn't have to be special to figure on her chasing bow, while Bagan is open to some improvement as he switches to this discipline, and Dragon Khan has already showed a little ability in this sphere at a low level..